>>68305071. Well it differs from person to person. I know a guy who spent 6 months on a bulker as a cadet and quit afterwards. It just wasn't his cup of tea, I guess.
2. As I said in the previous answer. It depends on what you want from life. If you want to be a family man and see your kids everyday, than no. If you're interested in seeing the world, doing crazy shit while in port, visiting 'public houses' and having a boatload of cash, then yes. Personally, I didn't see myself doing that until retirement, so I choose to work on land instead (even though I got my masters degree at a maritime academy).
3. Most of my mates got used to it fairly quick. The problem is that you are essentially forced to spend every waking moment with other crew members and if you happen to dislike one of them it can be difficult.
4. Unfortunately yes.
5. Expectations... hmm well you never know what to expect, I guess. Suicide attempts while in the middle of the Atlantic, almost getting stabbed by a prostitute in a whorehouse and so on. I've heard all kinds of crazy stories.
One more thing, if you are from a western country (USA, Europe,...) I would recommend attending maritime academy as pretty much all the positions below the third mate are filled with Filipinos and other south-east Asians.
I hope that answered some of your questions. Feel free to ask more if you're interested.
